- published: 21 Dec 2016
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Performance is a 1970 British crime drama film directed by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg, written by Cammell and starring James Fox and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, in his film acting debut. The film was produced in 1968 but not released until 1970.
Chas (James Fox) is a member of an East London gang led by Harry Flowers (Johnny Shannon); his specialty is intimidation through violence as he collects pay-offs for Flowers. He is very good at his job, and has a reputation for liking it. His sexual liaisons are casual and rough. When Flowers decides to take over a betting shop, owned by Joey Maddocks (Anthony Valentine), he forbids Chas to get involved, as he feels Chas's complicated personal history with Maddocks (which is at least partly gay) may lead to trouble. Chas is angry about this and later humiliates Maddocks, who retaliates by wrecking Chas's apartment and attacking Chas. Chas shoots him, packs a suitcase and runs from the scene.
When Flowers makes it clear that he has no intention of offering protection to Chas but instead wants him eliminated, Chas decides to head for the countryside to hide but instead winds up hiding out in London, requesting that Tony (a trusted friend he refers to as 'Uncle') helps him get out of the country. He assumes a new name, Johnny Dean, and appears at the house of Turner (Mick Jagger), makes a clumsy attempt to ingratiate himself with Pherber (Anita Pallenberg), one of the female inhabitants, and moves in. Turner is a reclusive, eccentric former rock star who has "lost his demon", and who lives there with his female friends Pherber and Lucy (Michele Breton), with whom he enjoys a non-possessive and bisexual ménage à trois, and their child maid Lorraine (Laraine Wickens).
Chas, a violent and psychotic East London gangster needs a place to lie low after a hit that should never have been carried out. He finds the perfect cover in the form of guest house run by...
Rock superstar Mick Jagger and James Fox star in this stunning reality/fantasy trip set in London's underworld. A desperate, murderous criminal hides out at the private residence of a bizarre rock star (Jagger) and his mysterious and beautiful companion (Anita Pallenberg). Co-directed by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg, Performance remains a gripping, psychological melodrama and cult favorite, as we witness the gangster experience the ready drugs and available sexual pleasures of the rocker's world while he is forced to confront aspects of his personality that have been repressed by his violent tendencies.
An in-depth look into the influences of the Donald Cammell and Nic Roeg movie Performance (1970), from Jorge Luis Borges to the paintings of Bacon, to the influence of the psychedelic drugs and music of the 1960's, as described by the films creators.
Mushroom cooking / Bath scene from Nic Roeg & Donald Cammell's splendid film of Swinging London.
Performance (1970) Directed by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg. Cinematography by Nicolas Roeg. Starring James Fox, Mick Jagger, Anita Pallenberg, Michele Breton, Ann Sidney, John Bindon, Stanley Meadows, Allan Cuthbertson and Anthony Morton.
Dana Rosemary Scallon won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970,this is one of her special and charming performances.
In September 1970 Yes were invited by the Belgian National Television to make a TV-special featuring a selection of songs from their Time And A Word album.
A promotional film for the Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg film Performance (1970) this film was first shown to Warner Bros execs and then to worldwide distributors, it features exclusive behind the scenes footage. I had to cut the Memo From Turner scene from this film because Warner Bros put a copyright infringement notice and blocked the video.
A branch of cold flames
Hangs over your head
The one thing you could never burn
Its shadow's hanging over you
The shadow's never there
Explodes all over again
Shakes, we take control today
Shakes, give all your secrets away
Shakes, give us your soul today
Shakes, give it all away
To crush this foolish pride
I'm standing under glass
Trying to break through all the time
But deception never fails
Can't discover what's seen
What's seen behind these cold eyes
Shakes, give us your soul today
Shakes, give all your secrets away
Shakes, we take control today
Shakes, give it all away
Shadows over masses
Faces gun charge
It was too much fun all the time
She said your death must come first
To make this dream more real
You'll never be free again
Shakes, give us your soul today
Shakes, give all your secrets away
Shakes, we take control today
Shakes, give it all away
Shakes, shakes, shakes
Shakes, shakes, shakes
Shakes, shakes, shakes